A terrifying collision between an MTA bus and an FDNY fire truck in New York City’s Bronx injured 19 people, including five firefighters.
The crash happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. near Southern Boulevard and Barretto Street, according to authorities. The MTA bus was carrying more than a dozen passengers when it collided with the fire truck at the intersection.
The impact was significant. One witness told ABC7 that passengers toward the front of the bus were thrown from their seats during the collision. Images from the scene showed extensive damage to the front windshield of the bus.
Surveillance footage obtained by News 12 showed the bus traveling along Southern Boulevard as the fire truck entered the intersection. Both vehicles appeared to attempt to swerve just before the collision, but they were unable to avoid the crash.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene. Nineteen people — five firefighters and 14 civilians — were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The FDNY confirmed that those taken to the hospital suffered minor injuries. Three additional people were evaluated at the scene but declined transportation to a hospital.
A witness described the impact as extremely forceful, saying the bus was full of people when the crash occurred.
Authorities have not determined which vehicle was at fault. Witnesses reportedly said the bus had a green light, but officials have not publicly confirmed who had the right of way.
The FDNY said the crash remains under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly how the collision happened.